Veneers

Knowing What to Expect if You’re Getting Veneers

Dental veneers are made to fit over teeth. They are basically a customized shell made from composite resin or porcelain. They are designed to improve your smile and appearance. They are considered a cosmetic procedure but in some cases, they are used along with gum disease treatments.

Why Veneers?

Veneers are useful for helping improve your smile if you have a tooth that is chipped, broken, misshapen or stained. Porcelain veneers are typically resistant to stain and have a more natural look than composite veneers. However, a composite veneer is thinner which just means less of the tooth’s surface needs to be removed to apply the veneer. Your dentist will recommend the type of veneer that will best meet your needs.

What will it be like to get veneers?

Composite veneers that are resin based are usually applied in a single appointment. If you are getting ceramic or porcelain veneers, there may be a few steps involved.

• Firstly – You will need a preliminary visit to the dentist so he can do a thorough exam and take initial X-rays.
• In Preparation – The dentist will need to trim a half a millimeter of enamel off the tooth to prepare it for a veneer. Once it has been trimmed, he’ll make a mold, or an impression to get an exact fit. It may take one or two weeks for the lab to finish the veneer.
• Placing – Once the veneers are ready, the dentist will double check the color and the fit. Then he will gently roughen the tooth so it will adhere to the veneer. A special cement is used to attach it to the tooth and then a special ultraviolet light will be used to help it dry and harden quickly.
• Follow-up – The dentist will schedule another visit for later to ensure the veneers have been placed properly.